Automatic stereoscopic radiography.



B. W. KELLY. AUTmuATw STERE-CSGOPIO RADIOGBJ PHY.

APPLICATlOK EILED APR. 5,1911.

Patented July 25, 1911 vwwtoz 5mm mm R a k a R A 2 7.1.1 1 N UNITEDSTATES PATENT ossron.

EDWIN W. KELLY, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMATIC! STEREOSCOPIC RADIOGRAPHY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed A ril 5,

Patented July 25. 191i,

1911. Serial tin. 619,201.

"-is accomplished.

preferably automatically, and resides also My invent-ion resides inapparatus for accomplishing the aforementioned purpose,

, in the process; 1

My mvention resides in the matters hereinafter described and. claimed.

or an illustration of 'oneof the forms the apparatils may take forcarrying out my invention, reference is to had to the accompany-findrawing. which is a diagrammutic View oi thecircuits and diagrammatic.or fragmentary yicws of theassociated ap: paratus.

In the drawing, G represents amotor generator or rotary converter, ofwhich M is the electric motor element and N the generator element drivenby the motor M. The

' motor M is supplied by either'direct or i Z; Wu.

alternating current from the supply conductors 1 and 2, and the brushes11 and 1?. collectthe alternating current from the slip rings andcommunicate with the switch blades 13 and 14 respectively, which areadapted to engage the contacts 15 or. 16 respectively. A reversingswitch R has the pairs of cross connected supply contacts and the middlepair of contacts communicating the consumption circuit. This consumptioncircuit includes the primary P of a transformer, such as a closedmagnetic circuit transformer of the type described in prior U. S. PatentNo. 954,056, C representmg the core of such transformer. Thisconsumption circuit includes also the adjustable resi tance L adjustableby the switch b. And the switch a is adapted to include In theconsumption circuit 1i greater or less.

number of turns of the primary P.

S represents the high otential secondary of the transformer T- w 1058primary is P,

one terminal of the secondary being connected to the conducting arcsi?1nd 5, while the other terminal is connected to the con are theconducting arcs 4, 6, S and 10, of which 4 and 10 are electricallyconnected connected together. The cross connectors 'r, t, u and c arerotated by the shaft m con nected by insulating coupling p with the N.These arcs and cross connectors ecu-3th tute a rectifying switch, asexplained in said aforementioned Letters Patent. which then deliversuni-directional current at high p0- tcntial to the conductors l7 and 18,17 being connected to the arcs 4 and 10, while the conductor 18 isconnected to the arcs 6 find 8. 19 and 20 are spark gap terminals;forming a spark gap which may be employed if desired to determine themaximum potential which shall be impressed upon the X-ray tube X.

The conductor 18 connects with the positive terminal or anode. 21. whilethe cenductor 17 connects with the negative terminal or cathode iii-ofthe X-ruy' tube 31,.

the conductor 18 being positive with respect to the conductor 17. Whenthe ulternatin current generator N 15 rotating at full spc 17 negative,so that the current will pass through the tube in the right direction.

The tube X is supported in the bracket 23 carried upoii the movablecarriage 24, slidable or movable upon the stationary frame Connected tothe carriage 24 is a member 26-cxtending through a slot 27 into the.tube 28 held in fixed relation with resnect to the frame '25. Within thetube 28 is a rod 29 carrying a plunger 30 and at; its outer end the head3-1 adapted to be held by the latch 32 p voted at 35 and controlled bthe spring 34, the spring holding-the rlghthaud end of the latch 32depressed m 29. Within the tube 28 is a sprin 35 whose one end isconnected to the tu e 28 and whose other end is connected to the rod 29.

,shaft q of the source of altern-Aing current 'the rotating crossconnectors 7, t, u and u of the rectifying sw tch are driven JD syn tor18 will become positive and conductor POSLUGII to restriiin the head 31on the rod.

ducting arcs 7 and 9. Opposed to these arcs together and the arcs 8 and6 electrically is the member 40 extending t .rough the slot able the rod-13 having a plunger head 41.

I upon the shaft 63 or to the drum 64; is a I This step-up gearingrotates the fan 71 at wheel 72 having the shoulders or notches 73,

target or anode 21 of the tube X is disposed The right hand end of thetube 28 is closed,

the plate carrier 37 which is movable substantially parallel to theframe 25 upon which the tube X is movable. Upon the carrier 37 aredisposed sensitized plates or the like, 38 and 39, inclosed in plateholders or any other suitable means, for excluding ordinary light.Secured to the carrier 37 I 41 in the fixed tube 42 within which is mov-The tube 12 i closed at'its right hand end except for the air escapepassage 15. VVith in the tube 42 is a spring 46 whose one end is securedto the rod 43 which carries at its left end a head -17 restrained by thelatch 48 l pivoted at 4:9 and urged to the position shown by the spring50. Associated with the latch 32 is the electro-magnet 51 and with thelatch 48 is associated the electro-v magnet These windings are hereshown connected in series with each other, it being the objectthat theyshall be simultaneously energized. lVhen these elcctro-magnets aretraversed by alternating current, as in the case here illustrated, thecores and their armatures are, of course, preferably laminated.

The member 53 is secured by set screw 51 to the frame 55 and carries thestationary contact. 56 with which is adapted to engage the contact 57carried by the leaf s ring 58 supported on but insulated from tliememher 53. i-md, similarly, a fixed member 59 carries a stationarycontact 60 adapted to be engaged by the movable contact 61 carried bythe spring 62 supported on but insulated from the member 59. Theseswitches 56, 57 and G0, 61 are connected in series with each other sothat the circuit controlled by them is not closed until both are closed.

Upon the shaft 63 is secured a. drum or grooved wheel it to which issecured one end of a rope or the like 65, carrying the weight 66. Theweight. 66 tends to rotate the drum 64 and also the commutator or switchmechanism, later referred to, in the dire tion indicated by the arrows.Secured gear wheel 7 meshing with the pinion 6 8 secured to-the gear .69which drives the pinion 70 carrying the air or other 'fan 71.

high speed so that the rotation of the drum (31 and the attached partsis suitably retarded. The amount of retardation may be adjusted by usingdifferent sizes of fan, or by any other suitable means.

Secured to the shaft 63- is the locking 7-! and 75. The latch 76 isadapted to engage tlcse shoulders or notches m sueces-- sion, the latchbeing pivoted at 77 and urged toward the pdsition shown by the spring78. Adapted to attract the right hand end of the latch 76 in oppositionto the spring 78 is a core 79 having the two windings 80 and 81. 70

When these windings are traversed by alternatmg current, as m thepresent case, the

core 79 and the part which it attracts, may be suitably laminated. Onthe shaft 63 is secured the switch mechanism or commutator 82 comprisingperipheral contacts 83, 84,

and 86. Contacts 83 and 85 are insulated from each other and from thecontacts 8 1 and 86. Contacts 84 and 86 are electrically connectedtogether and to the slip ring 87 80 upon which bears the brush 88.Contact 85 is electrically connected to the slip ring 89 upon whichbears the brush 90. The contact- 83 is electrically connected to theslip ring 91 upon which bears the brush 92. 85

Frdm the brush 88 a conductor 93 cxtendsto one supply terminal of the.reversing switch R. From the other supply terminal of the reversingswitch R and rom contact 15 extends a conductor 94 to one terminal ofthe the conductor 94 there is a connection 95 through conductor 97 tothe contact 60, and from the movable contact 61 extends a conductor 98to the switch contact 56, and from the switch contact 57 extends aconductor 99 to one terminal of the electro-magnet 80 whose otherterminal connects by conductor 100 to the brush 90. The brush92 connectsby conductor 101 to one terminal of the electro-magnet 81 whose otherterminal connects through conductor 102 to the conductor 94, a suitableresistance 103 being included when desired. From contactlti extends aconductor 104 to brush 105.

The operation is as followstThe motor generator or rotary converter, oralternator N, is broughtup to, speed by any suitable means and, asbefore stated, the cross connectors r, t, a and n of the rectifyinswitch rotate in synchronism'therewith. h ormally contact 83, throughslip ring 91. through .brush 92, conductor-101, eloctro-magnet winding81. conductor 192, back to contact 15 and to the other terminal 12 ofthe generator N. In consequence, the core 79 is magnetized and the latch76 islifted free I of the shoulder or notch 73 and the weight 66 is freeto descend and rotate the shaft and attached parts in the direction ofthe arrows. Contact 83 immediately lcavgs brush 105, but contact 84approaches and passes under brush 105 wherutpon current then passes fromcontact 16 through brush 105, contact 84, slip ring! 87. brush 88,conductor 93, to one suppiy terminal of the reversin switch R, thencethrough a consumption circuit contact of the switch R, through theprimary P of the transformer T, switch a, resistance L, switch I), backto the other terminal of the reversing switch R, thence to the suppiyterminal in communication with contact 15 to the other-side of thegenerator-X. This energizes the transformer and as a resultuni-directional current is passed through the X-ray tube X exciting, thesame to produce X-rays, the rays passing through the patient or otherobject and impinging upon the plate 38 where they make their impression.This euergization of the X-ray tube X lasts onl so long as the contact84 is in engagement with brush 105. After the contact 54 has pa sed fromunder orush 105, contact engages the brush 10:) whereupon current willflow from one side. of the generator X through contact 16, conductor 10-brush 105. conta t 85. slip ring 89, to brush 90, thence throughconductor 96, electroanagncts 52 and .71, conductor-Whack to the otherside of the generator. Elect. o unencts 5'1 and 2 are. therefore.simultaneously energized. and. consequentlv. their re'-' spcctivelatchcsand 48 are actuated by .them to release the rods 39 and 43 l(|)L' tn'ely, whereupon the springs 3 and 46 move these rods toward theright. the more nicnts being retarded in the first case by the plunger30 expelling air through passage 3t from'thc tube 29, and in the iattcrcase h s the plunger -34 expelling-.5 air fr m the tube 4t through thep. ssag'c 45. in con sequence. the X41) tuhc X and the plates andifi'arc moved toward the right. The tube X is moved to the right adistance substantially 2. ii'i hes. hing the average distance betweenthe human eyes. so that the anode or target it then assumcsthe dottedline po ition indizutcd- The plates 39 and '35) move a greater di tance.however. so that the plate 35) comes .o the position previously oc upiedhy the p ate 3. The carriage 2i carrying the X-m r tube-moves to and he-\-ond the positi n indicated in dotted lines and at the end of itmovement actuates the spring to ln-i'ig contact 57 into engagement withconta t 51'. .'\nd. imilarlv. the

plate carrier :17 at the end of its movement actuatw th c aim-t to hringit into engage: cut with the c ntact 60. During these mov uts f the tu eX and the carrier 37 toward the right. the notch 74 has come intoengagement with the latch 76 thereby stopping the sha it and theattached parts. Insueh }.-'l\l(.ri the verdant R3 is still in engagementwith hr: .0 \i'hcn hath-the ends of their travel both switches 56.- 57and G0, G1 are closed and thereupon current flows.

from one side of the. generator N through contaci to, brush 10.),contact 85. slip ring 89, brush 9t, through conductor I00. electromagnetwinding 80, conductor 99. through switch 56, 57, conductor 98. switch30. (31, conductor 37 to conductor 9% hack to the other side of thegenerator S. The core '19 is, therefore, again energized. this time bythe winding 80, whereupon the lat'ji i6 is again raised and the weight(36v again dcseends continuing the rotation of the shaft 63 and attachedparts. Contact 85 passes out from under hrush 105, and later the con- 75has come around into engagement with the latch 76 and the parts areagain stopped, and the operator then opens the switch 13, 14. Thiscompletes the operation of the mechanism, and the result has been thesuccessive exposure of sensitized plates with successive positions ofthe source of X-rai's. the images on these plates, when developed, thenbeing in stereoscopic relation. and they may be viewed in snitahlestereoscopic apparatus as understood in the art. If :36. 57 and (i0. 61"are closed before '76 engage 74, the shaft G:- continues to rotatewithout intcrruptiox'i.

than it is desired to make another series of exposures the operatorsimply lifts the latch 76 and allows the should r 75 to escape and theparts rotate until the latch 76 again engages the shoulder or notch 73.And the tuhe. X and plate carrier 37 are r turned to their originallatched positions. 'l'hcn. upon a second closure of the switch 1 1. 14,the cycle of operations will he automatically repeat d.

While I have shown a .source of alternating current with a-step-nptransformer and rectify ng switch as meansfor cnergizlng the X-raytuhealul the alternating current.

as means for energizing the trippiugniagnets. it. is to he understoodthat a direct current may he nscdfor energizing these mag:- ucts. orthat an ordinary induction coil with \i'chnclt or other interrupter inits primary may he nscdiasa source of current for the X-ray tube. directcurrent being used in niost cases in the induction coil primary '(HPXHLV Fromlhc arrangement of the switches 56,

57 and 60, 61, in series with each other in the relation described, itfollows that both the X-ray tube and the plates must have reached theirnew positions before the X-ray tube can again be excited. If the tubeshould be excited before either the tube or the plates had-reached thesecond position, a premature explosure would result, and a plate wouldbe spoiled because either the plate or the tube would still be moving atthe time of exposure.

By adjusting the speed of rotation of the shaft 63, the cycle ofoperations may be performed in shorter or longer intervals, according asshorter or longer exposures are required.

I do not wish to be limited as to my inven tion to the particulararrangements or constructions herein disclosed, it being understood thatthe particular constructions and arrangements here disclosed are by wayof example merely.

Where the amount of current for energization of the X-ray tube is sogreat that sub stantial arcing would incur at the commutator contacts 84and 88, these contacts may be employed, instead of directly in thecircuit with the X-ray tube, in the circuit of a relay or othercontrolling device, which will cause closure of the circuitthrough theX-ray tube when brush is in contact with either contact 84 or 88.

While the arrangement herein disclosed is electro-mechanical in nature,it is to beundcrstood that they may be in whole or in part replaced bymechanical, pneumatic or other suitable controls. Indeed, any mechanism,mechanical, pneumatic. hydraulic, or electrical so related as to shiftthe tube and the lates that the second energization of the -ray .tube isimpossible until after the tube and plates have reached their finalpositions, may be emplo ed.

What I claim is:

1. The process of automatically making stereoscopic X-ray exposures,which consists in automatically producing X-rays for a predetcrun ledinterval of time, thereafter shifting a source of Xrays and thesensitized medium, and thereafter automatically producing X,- rays foranother predetermined interval of time.

2. The process of automatically making stereos-conic X-ray exposures,which consists in automatically producing X-rays for a predeterminedinterval of time. thereafter :n 1toniati(.-ally shifting a source ofX-rays and the sensitized medium. and thereafter automatically producingX-rays for another predetermined interval of time.

3. In combination, an liq'ay tube, a source of energy. means forenergizing said X-ray tube from said source of energy. a plate carrier,means for automatically shifting said plate carrier and said X-ray tube,and

said commutator, a circuiu for starting said driving means, a platecarrier. means for moving said X-ray tube and said plato'carricr, acircuit controlled by said comnmtator for energizing said X-ray tube.and a circuit controlled by said commutator after first energization ofsaid tube for causing movement of said X-ray tube and said platecarrier, said commutator thereafter rontmlling further cnergization ofsaid X-ray tube. In combination, an X-ray tube. a ource of current, acommutator. means for driving said commutator, a circuit for startingsaid driving means. a plate carrier. means for moving said X-ray tubeam, said plate can rier, a circuitcontrolled by said commutator forenergizing said X-ray tube, a circuit controlledby said commutator afterfirst energization ot said tube for causing movement of said X-ray tubeand said plate carrier, means automatically stopping said commutatorafter first cnergization of said X- ray tube, and a circuit controlledby the movement of said tube and said plate carrier for restarting saidcommutator, aid commutator thereafter controlling a. second energizationof said tube.

6. In combination, an X-ray tube, a source of current, a commutator,means for driving the same, a plate carrier, means for moving said tubeand plate carrier, a switch eontr0lling the starting of said commutator,said commutator thereafter energizing said :be, causing the shifting ofaid tube, and said plate carrier, and thereafter causing secondenergizution of said tube. v

7. In combination, an X-r: y tube, a plate carrier, means-for movingsaid X-my tube, means for moving said plate carrier, means for retardingthe movement of said X-ray I tuhc. means for retarding the movement ofsaid plate carrier, and a commutator having; contacts controllingrespectively first energization of said tube, the movement or said tubeand said plate carrier, and a second energization of said tube.

8. In combination. an X-ray tube, a plate carrier, means for moving saidX-ray tube. means for moving said plate carrier, means for retarding themo ement of said X-ray tube, means for retarding the. movementof saidplate carrier, and a commutator having contacts controlling respectin-ly first ncrgization of said tube, subsequent movm...-nt of said tubeand plate carrier. the stopping of said commutator until said tube andplate carrier have reached their final positions. subsequent starting ofsaid commutat r. and thereafter a second energization of said tube.

10f a plate carrier, means for moving said l energized when said tubeand plate carrier tube, means for moving said plate carrier, 1 havereached their final positions for again 15 means for locking said tubein normal posiunlocking said commutator, and a further lion, means forlocking said plate carrier in"; contact of sgiid commutator controllingsec- 5 normal position, a commutator, means for 3 0nd energization ofsaid tube.

locking the same in normal position, and a i In testimony whereof I havehereunto afcircuit for unlocking said commutator, a fixed my signaturein the presence of the two 20 cogtact for saidi comnuitatog controllfingsubscribing witnesses. $11 so uent ener ization o sai time :1 ur-: Y e

10 tliei' contact 0% said commutator subse- EDWIN BELLY qucntlyunloeking'said tube and said plate 3 carrier, said commutator lockingmeans sub- Z sequently locking said commutator, a circuit; 5

Witnesses ANNA E. STEINBOCK, ELEAxoR T. MCCALL.

